Gossypium (cotton)

Gossypol

Gossypol is a yellow pigment which has anti-malarial properties. It was considered for use as a male contraceptive, but although effective, this was eventually abandoned due to serious side-effects, including permanent infertility.

Gossypol is toxic to animals and must be removed from cotton-seed oil before it can be used by the food or agricultural industries. Genetically engineered cotton plants have been bred to contain only a small amount of gossypol in the seeds, making them a potential high-quality protein source for animals and humans.